Joshua Arthur

Joshua George Arthur (27 January 1906 – 20 May 1974) was an Australian schoolteacher and politician who represented the Hamilton and Kahibah districts for the Labor Party.

The Honourable Joshua Arthur
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Kahibah
In office 17 June 1950 – 19 August 1953
Preceded by	New district
Succeeded by	Tom Armstrong
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Hamilton
In office 11 May 1935 – 22 May 1950
Preceded by	William Brennan
Succeeded by	George Campbell
Personal details
Born	(1906-01-27)27 January 1906 Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia
Died	20 May 1974(1974-05-20) (aged 68) Sydney, Australia
Political party	Labor
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army
Years of service	1940–1945
Rank	Captain
Unit	Second Australian Imperial Force

Early life

Born to Joshua Arthur, a blacksmith, and Ethel May Embleton in Adamstown, New South Wales. He was educated at Adamstown Public School, Newcastle High School and Sydney Teachers College, graduating in 1924. He taught for the New South Wales Department of Education from 1925 until 1935, in the Wellington, Sydney and Newcastle districts.[1]

He served in the second Australian Imperial Forces. Enlisted in 1940, served in North Africa and on the staff of the Minister for the Army, Frank Forde, from 1943 until 1945.[1]

Political career

Arthur was the member for Hamilton, winning the seat at the 1935, 1938, 1941, 1944 and 1947 State elections. Arthur transferred to the new seat of Kahibah at the 1950 State election, but resigned on 19 August 1953, causing the 1953 Kahibah state by-election after a Royal Commission was set up to investigate the association between Arthur and R. A. Doyle who was involved in company fraud and other dubious business dealings. The Royal Commission subsequently found that some of his dealings with Doyle had been improper but not corrupt.[1]

Arthur was Minister for Tourist Activities and Immigration from 21 September 1949 until 30 June 1950 under Premier James McGirr. He was Secretary for Mines and Minister for Immigration 30 June 1950 until 23 February 1953 under Premiers McGirr and Joseph Cahill.

Death

Arthur died on 20 May 1974. He was buried at Northern Suburbs Crematorium following a serve at St Stephens Church, Macquarie Street.[1]

References

1. "Mr Joshua George Arthur (1906–1974)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by William Brennan	Member for Hamilton 1935–1950	Succeeded by George Campbell
New district	Member for Kahibah 1950–1953	Succeeded by Tom Armstrong
Political offices
Preceded by Claude Matthews	Minister in Charge of Tourist Activities and Immigration 1949 – 1950	Succeeded by Himself
		Vacant Title next held by Gus Kelly as Minister for Tourist Activities
Preceded by Himself	Minister for Immigration 1950 – 1953	Succeeded by Gus Kelly
Preceded by William Dickson	Secretary for Mines 1950 – 1953	Succeeded by Bob Heffron